Covid-19: DWP Update

Highlights the Department’s response to the pandemic, including redeploying staff, enhancing IT capabilities, issuing advances to claimants, streamlining processes, ensuring safety measures are followed, providing virtual support through job centres, creating a new website for job seekers, financial injections into the welfare system, benefit uplifts, and legislations easing access to benefits.

Responds to concerns raised by Jonathan Reynolds, explaining that changes to legacy benefits systems would take several months and could be complex. Acknowledges issues with benefit cap but suggests a nine-month grace period for claimants with sustained work records. Confirms no intention to change the five-week wait period, recommends use of advance payments instead. Offers to review regulations regarding maternity allowance and statutory maternity pay.

Welcomes support measures described by the Secretary of State but asks for clarification on how owner-directors of small limited companies, mainly paid through dividends, can access assistance schemes or universal credit as alternatives when ineligible for self-employed income support.

Responded by highlighting the government's introduction of new schemes, such as the job retention scheme and self-employed income support. Noted that universal basic income is not a targeted solution for poverty reduction and would cost over £400 billion annually. Emphasised that DWP staff performance is being monitored and adjustments are made where necessary to ensure timely benefit payments.

Acknowledged the impact of coronavirus on applications for universal credit in her constituency and asked what steps were being taken to ensure swift first payments for new claimants.

Reiterated that UC approach remains consistent, with assessments of income leading to increased support for those eligible. Stressed the smoothness of the process now and availability of advance option for urgent needs.

Welcomed higher universal credit and working tax credits but criticised the unchanged benefit cap in London, urging a more consistent support for extra costs during the crisis.

Explained that increasing local housing allowance and UC was done to quickly provide short-term relief without altering other benefits. Suggested that increased support in London should be visible through recent changes but no intention to alter the benefit cap.

Highlighted the need for better protection of directors of small companies who do not qualify for universal credit, urging the government to address this gap.

Explained that due to the complexity in distinguishing between personal and investor dividends, the self-employed scheme aimed to cover 95% of affected individuals effectively.

Proposed considering a recovery universal basic income, stressing its cost-effectiveness through tax reforms. Urged the government to explore this option given concerns about job retention scheme and pressures on UC.

Rejected the proposal for a universal basic income, citing existing devolved responsibility in Northern Ireland as an alternative avenue for such schemes.

Thanked DWP staff and Secretary of State for handling the crisis effectively. Inquired about adjustments to local housing allowance outside London areas and requested support aligned with local rental markets.

Explained changes in local housing allowance according to the 30th percentile, encouraging those struggling to seek council discretionary housing payments for additional support.

Called for an end to recovery of advance payment deductions during the crisis and requested deferral of any such recoveries until after the pandemic.

Congratulates DWP staff on handling universal credit applications and clears, but raises concerns about people who were encouraged to apply for universal credit while receiving working tax credits, only to find they no longer qualify under current rules. Asks the Secretary of State to provide clarity regarding new-style employment support allowance and self-employment income support scheme.

Acknowledges praise for DWP staff, addresses concerns about individuals losing eligibility for working tax credits after applying for universal credit. Promises to look into the issue and update the website to clarify eligibility rules.

Thanking DWP staff, raises concerns about the sufficiency of universal credit allowance for those in sectors heavily impacted by the pandemic. Questions whether £5,000 a year is enough to live on.

Responds by highlighting various support measures from the Treasury and clarifying that the standard allowance of universal credit is part of a larger benefit package, including housing and child benefits. She believes £94 per week is reasonable.

Compliments DWP staff for their efforts during the pandemic, asks about plans to support individuals with informal carers who are shielding themselves due to coronavirus risks.

Announces two temporary measures: allowing unpaid carers to continue claiming allowance during breaks from caring due to illness and recognising emotional support as part of the 35-hour care threshold.

Thanks the Secretary of State for her work and seeks advice on how self-employed directors can be better supported in their businesses, especially family-owned shops affected by the pandemic.

Reiterates that 95% of self-employed people are covered under the scheme and encourages those using dividends for pay to consider other forms of support available through universal credit or furlough schemes.

Acknowledges DWP staff's efforts, asks Secretary of State to look at extra support measures needed for self-employed limited company directors and others not covered by existing support systems.

Responds that many groups can get support through universal credit, but acknowledges the design of furlough and self-employment schemes does not cover every worker or self-employed person.

Raises concern over delays in processing personal independence payment applications for a severely ill constituent. Seeks assurance from the Secretary of State to ensure benefits are processed within reasonable timeframes.

Offers to look into specific cases where delays might be unjustified, emphasising efforts to streamline processes while maintaining quality and thoroughness in decision-making.

Questions what steps are being taken to highlight job opportunities in growing sectors of the economy for newly unemployed individuals.

Highlights 58,000 current vacancies on the jobs website and mentions initiatives like online courses offered by the Secretary of State for Education to support upskilling during unemployment.

Critiques the application of the benefit cap, arguing that families affected are not benefiting from payment increases. Suggests moving the benefit cap to prevent worsening conditions for poorer families.

Responds by mentioning a nine-month grace period for universal credit capping if claimants have sustained work records. Indicates that general principle remains not to remove the benefit cap.

Praises DWP staff and highlights their outstanding performance in his area, suggests looking into using more discretion now which could be beneficial in future decision-making processes.

Many constituents suffered financial hardship and poverty before the coronavirus, exacerbated by delays in universal credit processing. The local citizens advice bureau has been inundated with welfare benefit queries. She urges the Government to consider introducing a recovery universal basic income for sustained economic recovery.

Rugby jobcentre plus was one of the first to go to full-service universal credit and has supported colleagues in other offices during high registration levels. He asks what would have happened if the Government had not modernised the welfare system.

She questions the benefit cap, arguing that small increases in universal credit are insufficient and many people lose their uplift due to this cap. She urges a review of the decision to lift it.

He thanks the Secretary of State for visiting Longbridge jobcentre and asks about support given to work coaches who have been restricted due to lockdowns. He seeks an update on how they continue to provide claimant support.

There have been over 82,000 new claims for universal credit in Wales. While appreciating the efforts of DWP staff, she highlights that some people struggle to get support with their new claims due to difficulties with telephony and lack of internet access.

She thanks DWP staff for their hard work during the crisis and questions whether a universal basic income would need to be paid universally, including to people like them. She also wishes her hon. Friend a happy birthday.

She criticises the Secretary of State's confidence in the system working well during the pandemic, highlighting increased food bank usage and issues with universal credit, the two-child policy, and the benefit cap.

He asks the Secretary of State to address some of the issues for self-employed people still waiting for money from the announcement about how they will be paid over the next few months.

She discovers that personal independence payment recipients with a tribunal award are not entitled to a three-month extension, despite the general statement. She asks for clarification on this issue.

He inquires about steps taken to ensure support for widows and widowers and their families, asking what improvements are being made to bereavement benefits.

He highlights the value of employment programmes like Working Win that help people with mental and physical health conditions find work. He asks for funding support through the covid-19 crisis.

He notes confusion about who can go to work during the pandemic and suggests a public information campaign could help clarify guidance for businesses and individuals.

Responded to concerns about working from home during the pandemic and addressed questions regarding Universal Credit, including issues with claims and wait times. She emphasised that universal credit has been more effective than legacy benefits in handling the increased number of claims.

Expressed concern about the unemployment increase and the adequacy of Universal Credit. She suggested relaxing the savings threshold for self-employed individuals and increasing discretionary housing payments to help those in financial distress.

Complimented the Department for Work and Pensions staff on their handling of increased claims under Universal Credit. He noted that there are half as many issues now compared to legacy benefits systems.

Raised concerns about the ongoing technical and capacity issues within the DWP regarding Universal Credit claims. She pointed out that some constituents are still waiting for eight hours on phone lines, leading to reliance on food banks.

Expressed gratitude towards the DWP team in Warrington and highlighted concerns about the recovery period of universal credit advances. He noted that some constituents are struggling due to delays and have been forced to use food banks.

Critiqued the system's inability to cope with increased demand, stating that many people still face significant challenges in accessing universal credit despite staff efforts. He questioned how the Secretary of State is prioritising new claims.

Asked about the increment in expenditure provided by the Treasury to the Department for Work and Pensions since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.